Colugo Complete Review

Let’s talk transporting devices. The ones that your tiny one actually gets to drive, and that—if you’re lucky—might not even tip over. It’s stroller time, baby! Yes, you can use a baby carrier. But sometimes, you just need those rims. When you do, do you know exactly what type of stroller actually works for you? Well, allow us to answer that question about the Colugo Complete. (By the way, find all of our stroller reviews here, and our picks for best strollers of 2022 here.) It’s not just about any stroller. It’s about the Colugo Complete, a full-sized baby transporting device that comes with a bunch of nuances that might make your ears perk up. Yes, you can watch the video below. But who needs visuals anyway? In this review, we evaluate everything you need to know about the Colugo Complete. And if you really want the Complete picture, why not watch and read? *Video should go here. Heads up: The stroller we reviewed here was a free review unit from the manufacturer. We didn’t promise them anything, like a positive review, so everything you read below and see in the video above is our honest opinion. Another bit of fine print: Fathercraft is reader-supported, meaning, at no cost to you, we may earn a commission if you buy after clicking an affiliate link. Learn more.

The specs of the Colugo Complete

Let’s start with the basics. No bias here. You might be familiar with the name Colugo from some of the brand’s other products, like its baby carrier and the Compact. In that case, think of this as the SUV version of the compact’s sedan. It’s a full-sized stroller, in every sense of the word:

• The stroller is made with an aluminum alloy frame, with the handlebar wrapped in vegan leather for increased slip-resistance and a comfortable grip.
• The tires are made from a rubber blend that promises puncture-resistance.
• The weight (with seat included) is 24.5 pounds, or 15 pounds if you take the seat out.
• The dimensions (unfolded) are 41.25 inches high,  37.5 inches wide, and 23.5 inches wide.
• Looking to fold it? In that case, you’re looking at 28.5 inches high, 23.5 inches deep, and 20 inches wide (with the seat still included).
• The basket under the seat is 22 inches long by 17 inches wide and 6.5 inches deep, big enough to hold a diaper bag. It also comes with some handy pockets for toys, snacks, and the all-important phone, wallet, keys.
• Max weight for your toddler is 55 pounds. The basket adds another 22 pounds in max storage.
• The detachable, stain-resistant seat can be installed as backward-facing (for the littlest ones) or forward-facing, with each option offering reclining abilities of up to 175 degree angles.

Just a bit more info: the stroller comes standard with a detachable rain cover and cup holder, which can come in handy depending on the situation. You might not need it, but you never know when you do. Finally, the price: you’ll pay $445 for the base model, plus any of the accessories we’ll mention below.

Colugo Complete vs. Colugo Compact: What’s the Diff?

Alright, enough with the basics. You might be wondering at this point what makes this stroller different from the Colugo Compact and other compact strollers. Wouldn’t you know? We’ve got some good news for you. That’s right. We reviewed the Colugo Compact last year. You can check out that review here. Read that as a companion to this one, and you can draw your own conclusions on those difference. Or, you can just finish reading this section. Your call. First, a basic lesson: there are three different general types of strollers on the market.

• Umbrella strollers are the smallest variety. They fold up like an umbrella, but probably don’t fit those chunky (read: older) lovable mini-yous.
• Compact strollers (like the Colugo Compact) are the mid-size model. They’re bigger, and offer more space, but still fold in half—typically accordion style. You can’t play music on them, though.
• Full-size strollers (like the Colugo Complete) are the luxury model. They have more room in the undercarriage, and fit older babies. They also have more recline and inset options.

Got it? Great. So let’s get into the Colugo Complete vs. Compact differences specifically.

• The Compact’s smaller size is great for traveling. When folded, it actually fits into an airplane’s overhead compartment. The Complete is chunkier, and probably best left at home.
• The Complete is better for longer trips because of its storage. Even if you spend the day in the zoo or the park, you can take enough snacks and diapers with you to avoid running out.
• The Complete has bigger wheels and a bigger handlebar, which improves its maneuverability. It’s not quite as versatile as a jogging stroller, but you are able to cover a wider range of terrain more easily.
• The Complete might make it easier for your little one to take a nap, thanks to its reclining option, a larger canopy for shade, and the optional bassinet in the infant kit. We’ll get into that.
• The Compact is about $160 less expensive than the Complete. Just something to keep in mind as you’re shopping for your options.

The Colugo Complete Stroller infant kit, a potential secret weapon

So about that infant kit. Wouldn’t you just love to have a bassinet on wheels sometimes? That’s what this is. And it sounds like it could be quite convenient. Full disclosure: we didn’t test the infant kit. But we’ve seen some great reviews on it online, so we’ll trust that those are right. The infant kit is a $50 investment, for which you’ll get two options to use the stroller even with the tiniest newborn:

• A bassinet attachment that allows your baby to lay flat in the stroller on a comfortable surface, still with a 5-point harness for safety.
• A set of clips that transform your stroller into the undercarriage for your infant car seat, compatible with Chicco, Maxi-Cosi, Nuna, Cybex, and Clek car seats.

How about those others accessories?

You guessed it: that bassinet is not the only way you can pimp this baby ride. For $795, you get the stroller itself, plus the infant kit, plus a Clek infant car seat. Colugo calls it the Complete Travel System and you don’t have that car seat for your baby yet, it’s worth checking out. As mentioned above, a rain cover and cup holder are included in the base model. Other optional accessories include:

• The On the Go Organizer, a $45 waterproof bag that attaches to the handlebars for easy storage.
• The Cozy, a $95 package designed for winter. You get what’s essentially a sleeping bag for the seat to wrap your entire baby, plus a set of mittens for you that attach to the handlebars.
• The Cool Seat, a $40 attachment that’s more breathable than the standard seat and perfect to avoid baby sweat in those hot summer months.

The awesome, the wish it were different, and a verdict

The awesome

• The undercarriage. It’s a big deal, literally. You can store lots of stuff, and it’s easy to get that stuff in and out of the basket. Sounds simple, but it’s something most other strollers just don’t have.
• The handling. The Complete is about 10 pounds heavier than its Compact counterpart, but that extra weight makes it sturdy. Add the large wheels, and the handling is quite exceptional.
• The weight distribution. The center of gravity is actually pretty centered, which means you can hang a diaper back on its back without worrying that it’s tipping over. You don’t want that accident with your little one, trust me.
• The seat. It’s comfortable, easy to remove, and machine washable. Yes, you’ll get crumbs and stains on it. But you can always get those back out, which is nice.
• The harness system. It’s a magnetic clip, which takes some getting used to, but it’s really easy once you get the hang of it and stays together, too. Safe and easy, what’s not to love?
• The return policy. No joke, you get 100 days on this puppy. Don’t like it in the first 3.5 months? Just ship it back at no cost to you.
• The foldability. It might still be chunky when you fold it, but that folding process is actually really easy and intuitive. Not something you have to spend time practicing, which is a plus.
• The looks. It just looks cool, and like something you want to be seen with. Yeah, aesthetics matter, whether you want them to or not.

The wish it were different

• The brake system. It’s away from the wheels, which can make it a bit clunk to operate. When you walk with the stroller, you might kick the brakes into action accidentally. A better placement might have been better here.
• The folded position. It’s easy to fold, but when you get it done, it sits on its wheels. And it can roll away. Not that easy to store, in other words. Plus, it’s a bit bulkier than we would have liked, even to comparable strollers like the UPPAbaby Cruz.
• Some maneuverability issues. The ride is smooth, but it’s easy to get caught on some small sidewalk cracks or bumps because of its weight distribution. That makes the wheels harder to push up, so it takes some finessing.

The verdict

It’s a good one! For us, a stroller has to accomplish three big things: ease of getting your kid in and out, ease of carrying extra things, and easy to fold. The Colugo Complete hits all three, so it’s tough not to get effusive in our praise here. Plus, we just love the way Colugo manufactures its product. The stroller just seems to be well-made, with the right materials and sturdy enough, but never appears to be clunky. In both appearance and durability, that’s a great plus. All in all, the Complete is well on its way to a leader in the full-size stroller class. It even competes with higher-end models from brands like Nuna and Bugaboo, which can easily range to $800 and more in price. A great value, at about half that price.

Comparing the Features: Colugo Complete vs. Mockingbird Baby Stroller

Maybe the most direct comparison to the Colugo Complete is the Mockingbird stroller, another competitor in the full-size category. Let the battle begin!

• Materials: very comparable, actually. Both are made of aluminum, both with leather-ish handlebars.
• Size: very comparable, although the Mockingbird is a bit bulkier at 26 inches wide and 26 pounds in empty weight.
• Basket: actually bigger on the Mockingbird, plus it can hold up to 25 pounds.
• Accessories: very comparable, including a car seat adapter and bassinet insert for both. The Mockingbird’s rain cover is an extra $20, though.
• Return policy: 30 days for the Mockingbird, 100 for the Complete. One is good, the other is better.
• Price: the Mockingbird wins here, at $350 compared to the Complete’s $445 price tag.

In all, both systems make for really good strollers. Which is better is almost down to personal preference. We really liked the Complete, but are tempted by some of the features of the Mockingbird.